Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess respects former Chargers tight end Antonio Gates so much that he is modeling his game and demeanor after the future Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee despite the fact they play different positions.

“I pay attention to everything he [Gates] does. I’m a quiet guy, and I made sure every time I watched him I see what he does. He’s the greatest tight end to ever play this game, and that’s what I strive for at the wide receiver position,” Funchess said per ESPN’s David Newton.

Both Funchess and Gates hale from Detroit and each has large frames with Gates being a former collegiate basketball player at 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds, and Funchess checking in at a respectable 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds.

It has remained somewhat of a mystery why the Bolts and Gates have yet to reconnect given the season-ending injury to L.A.’s star TE Hunter Henry and Gates’ desire to keep playing. For now, the Chargers are placing their confidence in seven-year veteran Virgil Green at the position.

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